Continuing EMBRACED ...

[I'm trying to respect and be a little cautious regarding copyright and what I share on here (not being aware or knowing is not an excuse), however I truly wanted to share this 100 day journey - EMBRACED - with you all (it'd be better if you actually had Lysa's book or at least the YouVersion plan). I'm not even sure how much Lysa has on her own website, because it's the publisher's, not the author (I think].


Anyways, today is the first day that the YouVersion 5 day sample plan does not have, and the next one they do have is #6. So, first I'm going to list the ones covered in days 1 -3, in Part 1: EMBRACING the Pursuit of Him and His Direction, then I will share #4.

#1 "Giving My First Moments to God" Psalm 86:11 (Key verse),  Psalm 81:10; Psalm 84:1 and Psalm 86:13

#2 "The Pineapple Principle" James 1:21-22

#3 "Stop Reading Your Bible" Psalm 119:34; Jeremiah 29:11

In Lysa's book

#4 "Great Sermons aren't Preached, They're Lived"  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Now, you may be thinking or reading this to see what these devotions have to say and that I am sharing my EMBRACED journey here to stay accountable (which in part is true) but it's always best to go to the source, in this case, the devotion Lysa wrote -  and as usual, each one so far, is like her other books and writings for me, true to my heart, as if I had written or said this, although so much better from Lysa - trust me (here's one of her paragraphs that stood out in this short 3 page devotion, after the Scripture verse of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, yet every single sentence rings true to this soul) "... essential that I view my time with God each morning as a preparation and an invitation":

"... Every verse I read is part of God's preparation for me that day. So, instead of just rushing to check off my to-do list that I spent a few minutes with God, I must allow His teachings to seep into my heart and mind. Then I can prayerfully ask God to interrupt my natural flesh response and remind me throughout the day of the truths He taught me that morning." ...

That's what this journey is about ... EMBRACE all God has for me that will help me throughout the day so that I may LIVE what iBelieve and read in God's Word, that I would be the "greatest sermon" ... the only Bible page some may read; 

'Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.'

and not live by my natural flesh and react in the flesh to so much that is part of my every day encounters

"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:15-17

After I read today's devotion, I changed what I was planning to share here, hopefully led by the Holy Spirit. I've been thinking since I began and shared that this Part 1 is about EMBRACING ... God's Pursuit and all that means, which is what I thought I'd write about today ... and then God's Direction. Clearly, this devotion today is about God's Direction; "not my will, God, but Yours be done" (Lysa covers this in her last page of this devotion, in her 'invitation' part of "recognizing I've just invited Jesus to do life with me" and that phrase"...minute by minute becomes" the theme ... in my thoughts, reactions, words and actions. My, how I desire to live like this and pray I will. Not a sermon preached but lived.

Yes! 

This is what each and every Christian should be doing and wouldn't this world and its darkness be much better if and when we do ... instead we disagree and judge others rather than addressing our own behavior and words. With God's Direction, we can live a message that speaks loud and clear "Jesus is true and the principles found in His teachings work." Well said/written, Lysa.

However, I really was thinking more about writing of God's Pursuit and what EMBRACING this ... looks like to me. By the end of these first 26 devotions, I'm sure to have a better grasp of how EMBRACING God's Pursuit draws me closer ... to know Him is to love Him. Today, I just need His EMBRACE ... and to know He is holding me closer (until I step out and am awakened to the reality of the world outside or around me, which for years I was away from and now have returned to the heartache and the unresolved conflicts that I left behind some 20some years ago, believing that with Christ and in Christ, "all things are possible" still ... at least tolerable. Some days are good and some days I want to runaway again, so I try to avoid or isolate, which isn't always possible - hoping to lower my high blood pressure and spend time with the Healer, His Embrace brings the healing and this is why I choose to spend Fridays with Him. He builds me up and gives me strength to meet another day, so I think ... until it happens ... 

Knowing that so many others face even more difficult days and situations, circumstances far beyond mine ... I feel trivial ever writing anything about my days and pray that God is near to all the broken hearted and the struggles that others face that He cares and is there.

Thankful for His everlasting EMBRACE - hoping I remember the lesson from today's devo.

DIRECTION for my next 100 days EMBRACED

Since I finally got around to officially declaring the 2019 One Word as 

EMBRACE

{and its other forms of past and present participles (or gerund)}

Embraced/Embracing

I decided June 1st would be a good time to begin 

Lysa TerKeurst's book*

{that I mentioned back here}

and a

100 day journey

*EMBRACED* 

I began with the YouVersion (sample) 5 day plan, but only for the first three days, then the last two on the appropriate day of her book. I am so blessed to have received the beautiful, hard bound version on Fri. and so glad that I ordered it because it's such a keepsake and as I mentioned so lovely from cover to cover - really a wonderful gift for yourself or someone special {plus I was able to get it under my set limit of $10 and did not have to pay shipping, which is sometimes more than the bargain}. 

Lysa has divided her book into 4 parts

"Part 1: Embracing the Pursuit of Him and His Direction"

devotions 1-26

"Part 2: Embracing the Fullness Found Only in Him"

devotions 27-48

"Part 3: Embracing Him in the Midst of Hurt & Heartache"

devotions 49-75

"Part 4: Embracing His Call to be Transformed"

devotions 76-100
Tempted to begin in Part 3
So, here I am, on June 1st, my mother's birthday, out at her gravesite, cleaning off the headstones of all my family and leaving lilacs from home with one teacup red rose, in remembrance of the dozen that my dad use to bring my mom regularly from her death in 1986 until his in 1998 and while I am able, I hope to at least bring one red rose. I'm accompanied by 1 of my 3 furry friends, who makes herself at home, lying on the grass, where I will be laid as I trim the grass around and clean off the stone. I take out this beautiful turquoise book and begin:

... "Giving My First Moments to God"...

not just reading again the devotion that I had already read  early this morning but allowing myself to actually feel God's EMBRACE meeting me right there, right then
with Psalm 86:11 and 13 then Psalm 84:1 {need to take out my cellphone to read this verse}
however Lysa starts each devotion with a Scripture, the first, and in her devotion, she beautifully pens what two Scriptures remind her of and then beautifully composes a prayer with all of these verses {plus an ending prayer} [you can read these in their entirety in the sample at YouVersion]
I single out this one line from the prayer:

... "Help me to EMBRACE what comes my way as an opportunity ... rather than a personal inconvenience" ...

I have a momentary pause remembering an 'embrace' sadly interrupted  - one my father attempted to give my mother with her final breath. It's been a lasting impression in my mind because of her struggle for air which was the reason for the rejection interruption (in my personal opinion) and until my youngest brother's more peaceful death, I swore I never wanted to be at anyone's death bed because of the fear of having that as the last remembrance of that person. Lament/grief - one lesson yet to be learned, my attitude has changed a little about this but clearly has not been erased. It's remarkable what your mind retains. As my furry friend, Lucky, snaps me back to the current reality ... I gaze up into a beautiful blue sky, as the tear that had welled up in the corner of my eyes disappears and I watch a plane prepare for its landing. Knowing that I, too, will have to prepare for my final landing and I'm so thankful for words like Lysa's that encourage me/you ...
"to know God is Holding You Close" (the rest of her title)
Yes, dear Lord, "teach me Your way ... that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name." Psalm 86:11
as Lysa writes, through His Word, this time alone,  prepares me for what lies ahead, what I need throughout every day as God equips me to handle and strengthens me quietly yet boldly with His loving and aMazing Grace
I depend on this I rely on His EMBRACE I need to 'embrace' the past that prepares me for my future
Yes, Lord I need to EMBRACE Your Pursuit and Your Direction I'm ready to face the rest of today I'm armed with Your truth I'm surrounded by Your love I'm filled with so much gratitude for lessons learned and those I've yet to learn

I can't wait to read the next one:  The Pineapple Principle {I happen to love pineapple. In fact, I even bought a mango-pineapple slush drink  on my way home today}

TIME to EMBRACE

I cannot believe that it is already Memorial Day weekend 2019, and I never announced my One Word for 2019, nor have I written any posts, except for one book review (sadly, it may be my last, because of some new guidelines with them, and I've been inactive too long {again} so my account is expired). 

You may think by now, that I did not get a new One Word for 2019, or that I've given up on blogging, neither is true - I wasn't even waiting for confirmation of the Word I thought I heard. The only truth about it is that I was not sure what form that Word should have, whether it should end with -ing or -ed or just as it is, so I guess I settled on:

EMBRACE

{still leaving it open to be that or 'embracing or embraced'}

because it simply seems to be what I need in this season of my life. I just need to 'embrace more grace' and so much else about me: embrace myself, embrace my identity and my identity in Christ, embrace my failures, embrace my strengths, embrace my past and my future, embrace the highs and the lows, and there is so much that I still need to EMBRACE - {things that are that I cannot change} the unchanging, and the changeable; and deal with life as it is. Looking at the definition is important: 

"To embrace something is to welcome it with open arms, hold, hug, accept completely." "Embrace is from the French verb embrasser, which started out meaning "to clasp in the arms" (but now includes kissing). You embrace someone by giving her a giant hug, and when you embrace a new idea, it's like your brain gives it a hug. The noun and verb form are similar: If you embrace someone who isn't your sweetheart, you might get caught in an embrace. ..." Primary Meaning of  'embrace': 1 squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness (verb or noun) 2 take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own (verb or noun) 3 include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory (verb) From: Vocabulary (dot) com dictionary

My primary reason for choosing this is because I want to EMBRACE whatever God has for me. I really like what I read, in a sample copy of a *book by Lysa TerKeurst that I received at a conference last year, and just found out that it's the 2019 Christian Book of the Year, because the book description and title confirm my choice of One Word:  

"... A real embrace indicates an intimate level of closeness. It’s not a high five or a casual handshake. The best kind of embrace is when someone we know deeply loves us flings their arms wide open and pulls us in close. Our hearts were made for this kind of love and security but for many of us, we know more about the pain of heartbreak and fear than the unconditional love for which we were created." EMBRACED..." by Lysa TerKeurst

Yes, that's what I need in 2019 and forward in my life, an 'intimate level of closeness' with Our Lord ... "the Ultimate Embrace"

"God opening His arms wide on Calvary through Jesus so that He could pull us close for all of eternity. Welcoming us into the safety and hope of His grace and His love." Lysa TerKeurst, Embraced: 100 Devotions ...

As my One Word for 2018 was BELIEVE ... iBelieve this with all my heart and I look forward with hope that others will soon be able to EMBRACE the Jesus that I know, love and serve as best I can, and long for an eternity like this, for me and them! Yes, my deepest desire is to EMBRACE His Love, His Word and His plan! {even the parts that I don't like or understand} ... and hold on to each of His Promises!

Time to EMBRACE fully who I am and all God is in me and all God has for me

   *I never even made the connection to Lysa's book with my choice of EMBRACE until I received a promotion to get her book now with the announcement that it's the Christian Book of the Year. It certainly deserves it, as Lysa herself does also ... Bravo Lysa! Sending a warm 'embrace' of congratulations your way!
However, there was a book by another author that was at that same conference that I did think of after I chose 'EMBRACE' because I have wanted to get it and read, "Embrace Grace..." by Liz Curtis Higgs. I just felt that "EMBRACE" and His "Grace" belong on a blog called "aMazing Grace ..." 
So now I have two books plus another 40 day devotional 'to embrace your inner healing' (I thought this was a good place to start).  

"THE ONE YEAR BOOK OF HEALING"

{last day to get a post in for this past year & one that will usher in the new year}

This book review is establishing my direction for2017{mine and others, I pray}
"THE ONE YEAR BOOK OF HEALING"byDr. Reggie AndersonandJennifer Schuchmann

... it's the rest of this book's title that captures my attention and interest to read it ...

"...Daily Appointments with God for Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Wholeness"

Thanks to Tyndale, this is a real book, not a virtual ebook that I canactually hold in my hands, day after day, like the beautiful oneI so enjoyed this past year by Chris Tiegreen(also from Tyndale)"The One Year: Hearing His Voice"this"Book of Healing"{was waiting for me when I arrived home from MX}is one I intend to read more meticulously for 2017

" Dr. Reggie Anderson, author of the acclaimed memoir "Appointments with Heaven," knows it can’t be predicted how God’s healing work will come to pass in our lives and hearts . . . only that it will. As a country doctor who has had remarkable experiences attending people in pain, Reggie wants you to see what he sees every day—that whatever your sickness, whatever your hurt, God is alive and active in your life. He wants you to be truly well, even if that looks different than you might expect. Rich in story and inspiration, The One Year Book of Healing will reveal the many ways our Savior heals and intervenes in the lives of the sick and the hurting—giving you the faith, hope, and patience to believe that God can do the same in your life."

Although "The One Year Book of Healing..." is the first book that I have read by Dr. Reggie Anderson, I was familiar with his previous book, "Appointments with Heaven," and had heard much about it, so I was intrigued and so ready for this book. "The One Year Book of Healing" is an inspirational book to read daily God's "prescription" for the day with encouraging, heartfelt messages that on many days give personal stories of healing or a message from Dr. Reggie Anderson. 
I enjoy the set-up of this devotional. Each month starts out with a monthly "Checkup" and a "Booster Shot" - God knows I need the 'check-up' part more than the 'shot'. So the book is clearly divided into the twelve months, with a devotion and reading from God's Word each day. The monthly checkup is an overview of common experiences: such as October, where I started, sharing gifts of kindness and setting goals; whereas January realistically speaks of our interior life, because January can be gloomy but gives us a time to prepare our hearts for renewal; or what we might expect that month physically or emotionally.
Each monthly "Checkup" introduction gives us a spiritual monthly challenge "to enhance our relationship with God." I really like this motivation and the various sound ideas given. Dr. Reggie Anderson clearly does give us what his objective is: "to help us see God through fresh eyes". I look forward to giving these a try but he also leaves us free to adapt or replace his suggestions if they don't work for us. The "booster shot" is meant to encourage us to better and healthier lifestyle - "greater health and wellness" (are his words).
Each day before the devotion, the book gives us a Scripture and we are encouraged to have our Bibles to go further and read in context to get more understanding. The personal stories from his own life and  medical practice are all true but, of course, the identity and privacy of the patients are protected. I appreciate that Dr. Reggie hopes that these stories demonstrate that "God is always present in our pain and suffering" and that his patients will amaze us with their "stories of how their faith has grown, even when their prayers weren't answered the way they hoped."
After each day's devotion, Dr. Reggie writes a daily Rx ... offering us a "suggestion for something we can do or consider" to feel better, grow stronger, or draw closer to our Father. Then as I love, he closes in prayer. {you know that's my favorite part in any daily devotional, it serves to focus my prayer and I use them usually as a prayer starter} ... 
I am sure that reading this daily will inspire me and encourage me; after reading this for an entire year page by page, that these rich stories will bring testimony to God, hope in healing, and most definitely "reveal the many ways our Savior heals and intervenes in the lives of the sick and hurting" - this most certainly will give my faith a boost, stir up my hope and teach me a bit more patience to believe that God can do the same for me and my loved ones as HE has done for the others in this book. 
I truly believe that this book - "The One Year Book of Healing" - holds the hope and the healing that I desperately need, even still and now in my life journey, of God's healing touch on my life. I'm only giving it 4 out of 5 stars on my recommendation, yet by the end of 2017, I should probably give a post review to see how this book has served its purpose of inspiration and healing that I can share with others, who also need a touch of God in their circumstances ... and the increase of my faith and hope in God, our Healer, Jehovah Rapha, for HE is alive and active in our lives (even if and when we don't feel or see healing) God is undeniably at work, for He most certainly wants us to be "truly well, even if that wellness looks different from what we expect". As I pick up this book, look at the beautiful cover of flowing, healing water and in colors that invite me to turn the pages and find the testimony, scripture and prescription that promises to do a deep work in me as I'm challenged to allow God's healing. 


In fact ... I have decided that this
ONE WORD
is the
WORD
for
2017
{but we'll see more about this WORD, after I start my year with40 Days of Prayers}
with LifeWay Women
[image credit and link]

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through their Tyndale Blogger's Network. 

Disclosure: I received this book free from Tyndale Blog Network blogger's review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

... and the ending of this blog post is in no way a part of Tyndale nor is this book part of LifeWay Women. They are not connected except by me.